Dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow and method

ABSTRACT

An inflatable pillow may include an inflatable air bladder, a pump coupled to the air bladder, an insulated cushioning layer, a viscoelastic layer, and a sleeve. The air bladder may have two opposing sides, an upper and a lower side. The cushioning layer is attached to one side, and the viscoelastic layer to the other. The pump is coupled to the air bladder so that when engaged, it fills the bladder with air to a particular pressure. The sleeve envelops the components of the pillow into one unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of pillows of existing art and more specifically relates to inflatable pillows.

RELATED ART

Pillows are used to sleep on and support the head, neck, or other parts of the body while sleeping, particularly in a recumbent position. Pillows may also decorative purposes in household décor, adorning beds, couches, and chairs. Generally, a pillow is made up of a fabric envelope or pillowcase and a soft stuffing contained within the pillowcase, which may be down feathers, synthetic foam, or other cushioning materials. Material and stiffness may vary depending on the application.

Individuals often have very specific preferences as to the stiffness, texture, and temperature of their pillow. Sometimes, individuals become so accustomed to a particular style of pillow that they experience difficulty sleeping if a pillow used does not match their preferences. Additionally, individuals may change their pillow preference over time. This creates difficulty with traditional pillows, as one may need to buy many different pillows before a suitable one is found, or even buy multiple pillows over time as preferences change. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,326 to Kevin Richardson relates to an inflatable pillow with pump. The described inflatable pillow with pump includes a pillow formed from an internal inflatable bladder having a filling and a lining secured thereto. A pump is secured to the internal inflatable bladder, inside of the filling or lining and a release valve is provided to release air from the pillow. The pump is easily operated by a single hand to inflate the pillow to a desired comfort level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known inflatable pillow art, the present disclosure provides a novel dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow and method for effective and comfortable use.

An inflatable pillow for supporting a user's head and neck is disclosed herein. The inflatable pillow may include an inflatable air bladder, a pump coupled to the air bladder, an insulated cushioning layer, a viscoelastic layer, and a sleeve. The air bladder may have two opposing sides, an upper and a lower side. The cushioning layer is attached to one side, and the viscoelastic layer to the other. The pump is coupled to the air bladder so that when engaged, it fills the bladder with air to a particular pressure. The sleeve envelops the components of the pillow into one unit.

According to another embodiment, a method of supporting a user's head and neck with an inflatable pillow is also disclosed herein. The method of supporting a user's head and neck with an inflatable pillow may include firstly, providing the above described device; secondly, engaging the pump in order to inflate the inflatable air bladder to a pressure as desired by the user; thirdly, positioning the inflatable pillow either upwardly or downwardly, depending on whether the user desires to use the cushioned side or the viscoelastic side of the pillow; and fourthly, resting the user's head and neck on the selected side of the pillow.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable pillow during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable pillow of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable pillow of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inflatable pillow of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the present invention in supporting the head and neck of a user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an inflatable pillow and more particularly to a dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow and method as used to improve the support of the head and neck of a user.

Generally speaking, the dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow can be adapted to fit individual users' needs. It preferably has three separate layers. The first layer is a half-inch of a viscoelastic material, preferably memory foam, designed with a pattern of curved ridges, which promotes the flow of air while providing the user with a cool place to rest his or her head. The middle layer is an air bladder, made from a soft material such as PVC rubber. It can be filled or deflated by pressing the appropriate button on the small pump that connects to the bladder. Air can be added to the bladder to increase the height and the firmness of the pillow, or released to lower the elevation and to make the pillow softer. The third layer is a soft, cushioning material such as fleece, which envelopes the sleeper's head in warmth and comfort. All the layers are enclosed in a bamboo or silk material, to keep the surface of the pillow cool. Various embodiments may be constructed in the standard sizes needed for single, double, queen, and king-sized beds. Yet another embodiment may include a long pillow to support the backs of side sleepers.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an inflatable pillow 100. FIG. 1 shows an inflatable pillow 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the inflatable pillow 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to supporting the head and neck of a user. As illustrated, the inflatable pillow 100 may include inflatable air bladder 110, pump 120, insulated cushioning layer 130, viscoelastic layer 132, and flexible sleeve 134.

Inflatable pillow 100 is configured to support head 30 and neck 35 of user 40. Inflatable air bladder 110 includes first side 112 and second side 114, second side 114 being disposed opposite first side 112. Pump 120 is coupled to inflatable air bladder 110 and is configured to inflate inflatable air bladder 110. Insulated cushioning layer 130 is placed adjacent to first side 112 of inflatable air bladder 110, and viscoelastic layer 132 is placed adjacent to second side 114 of inflatable air bladder 110. Flexible sleeve 134 defines inner volume 136 and contains inflatable air bladder 110, insulated cushioning layer 130, and viscoelastic layer 132 together. Inflatable pillow 100 is substantially rectangular in form. Viscoelastic layer 132 comprises low-resilience polyurethane foam, and more specifically comprises an open cell memory foam structure configured to improve breathability and reduce heat retention in relation to user 40 for comfort of user 40. Insulated cushioning layer 130 preferably comprises fleece, and flexible sleeve 134 preferably comprises bamboo cloth or silk. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other structural arrangements such as, for example, alternative materials used, differing pillow shapes, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing the inflatable pillow 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the inflatable pillow 100 may include inflatable air bladder 110, insulated cushioning layer 130, and viscoelastic layer 132. Inflatable air bladder 110 further includes first plurality of corrugations 116 disposed on first side 112 of inflatable air bladder 110 configured to increase airflow 20 between inflatable air bladder 110 and insulated cushioning layer 130. Likewise, inflatable air bladder 110 further includes second plurality of corrugations 118 disposed on second side 114 of inflatable air bladder 110 configured to increase airflow 20 between inflatable air bladder 110 and viscoelastic layer 132.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable pillow 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Pump 120 comprises manual air pump 128 is connected to inflatable air bladder 110, and is configured to pressurize inflatable air bladder 110. Manual air pump 128 includes bulb 129 configured to be compressed by hand. Pump 120 is mechanically coupled to inflatable air bladder 110 by flexible conduit 138, such that flexible conduit 138 couples pump 120 to inflatable air bladder 110 in fluid communication, and is configured to contain and route air 25.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inflatable pillow 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Pump 120 comprises electric air pump 122. Pump 120 coupled to inflatable air bladder 110, and is configured to selectively pressurize inflatable air bladder 110, as desired. Electric air pump 122 is selectably engageable by user 40, such that electric air pump is configured to inflate inflatable air bladder 110 to desired pressure 10 by user 40, and is selectably engageable until desired pressure 10 is reached. Inflatable pillow 100 further includes handheld remote 124 control and includes first switch 125 and second switch 126. First switch 125 is configured to inflate inflatable air bladder 110, and second switch 126 is configured to deflate inflatable air bladder 110. Handheld remote 124 control is electrically coupled to electric air pump 122 by cord 118.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 500 for adjustably supporting a user's head and neck, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 500 for adjustably supporting a user's head and neck may include one or more components or features of the inflatable pillow 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 500 for adjustably supporting a user's head and neck may include the steps of: step one 501, providing an inflatable pillow comprising an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder, an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder, a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder, and a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer; step two 502, engaging the pump to inflate the inflatable air bladder until a pressure selected by the user is reached; step three 503, positioning the inflatable pillow such that the insulated cushioning layer faces up, and alternatively such that the viscoelastic layer faces up; and step four 504, resting the user's head and neck on the insulated cushioning layer, and alternately the viscoelastic layer.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for adjustably supporting a user's head and neck, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An inflatable pillow for supporting a head and neck of a user comprising: an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder; an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder; a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder; and a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer.
 2. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises an electric air pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to selectively pressurize the inflatable air bladder, as desired.
 3. The inflatable pillow of claim 2, wherein the electric air pump is selectably engageable by the user, the electric air pump being configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder to a desired pressure by the user, the electric air pump being selectably engageable until the desired pressure is reached.
 4. The inflatable pillow of claim 2, wherein the inflatable pillow further includes a handheld remote control including a first switch configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder and a second switch configured to deflate the inflatable air bladder.
 5. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a manual air pump connected to the inflatable air bladder configured to pressurize the inflatable air bladder.
 6. The inflatable pillow of claim 5, wherein the manual air pump includes a bulb configured to be compressed by hand.
 7. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the pump is mechanically coupled to the inflatable air bladder by a flexible conduit, wherein the flexible conduit further couples the pump to the inflatable air bladder in fluid communication, wherein the flexible conduit is configured to contain and route air.
 8. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a first plurality of corrugations disposed on the first side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the insulated cushioning layer.
 9. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a second plurality of corrugations disposed on the second side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the viscoelastic layer.
 10. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control is electrically coupled to the electric air pump by a cord.
 11. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the inflatable pillow is substantially 3D rectangular.
 12. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises a low-resilience polyurethane foam.
 13. The inflatable pillow of claim 3, wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises an open cell memory foam structure configured to improve breathability and reduce heat retention in relation to the user.
 14. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the insulated cushioning layer comprises fleece.
 15. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises bamboo cloth.
 16. The inflatable pillow of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises silk.
 17. A dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow for supporting a head and neck of a user comprising: an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder; an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder; a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder; and a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer; wherein the pump comprises an electric air pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to selectively pressurize the inflatable air bladder, as desired; wherein the electric air pump is selectably engageable by the user, the electric air pump being configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder to a desired pressure by the user, the electric air pump being selectably engageable until the desired pressure is reached; wherein the inflatable pillow further includes a handheld remote control including a first switch configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder and a second switch configured to deflate the inflatable air bladder; wherein the pump is mechanically coupled to the inflatable air bladder by a flexible conduit, wherein the flexible conduit further couples the pump to the inflatable air bladder in fluid communication, wherein the flexible conduit is configured to contain and route air; wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a first plurality of corrugations disposed on the first side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the insulated cushioning layer; wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a second plurality of corrugations disposed on the second side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the viscoelastic layer; wherein the handheld remote control is electrically coupled to the electric air pump by a cord; wherein the inflatable pillow is substantially rectangular; wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises a low-resilience polyurethane foam; wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises an open cell memory foam structure configured to improve breathability and reduce heat retention in relation to the user; and wherein e insulated cushioning layer comprises fleece.
 18. A method of supporting a user's head and neck with an inflatable pillow, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable pillow comprising an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder, an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder, a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder, and a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer; engaging the pump to inflate the inflatable air bladder until a pressure selected by the user is reached; positioning the inflatable pillow such that the insulated cushioning layer faces up, and alternatively such that the viscoelastic layer faces up; and resting the user's head and neck on the insulated cushioning layer, and alternately the viscoelastic layer. 